COMING SOON: THE SMART WAY TO TREAT WASTEWATER

A new "smart" wastewater treatment system is being developed by Wärtsilä that combines the latest environmental technology and process expertise with real-time data collection and digital modelling.

The development, announced last week during the Nor-Shipping event, aims to create a smart approach to handling a ship’s waste, which could will deliver notable advantages over conventional treatment systems. Wärtsilä says the technology could make human error and illegal discharge a thing of the past.

Speaking at Nor-Shipping Arto Lehtinen, Director, Water & Waste, Wärtsilä Marine, said: “Wärtsilä continues to be ahead of the curve in adapting digital technology and connectivity to deliver solutions to the marine industry that are more efficient, safer, and environmentally sustainable. Our development work with this smart water and waste treatment system represents a key component within the Smart Marine Ecosystem that will ensure a successful future for our customers.”

While there is no launch date for digitalising the water treatment process, the concept promises to facilitate trouble-free operation, full regulatory compliance, and cost savings resulting from a higher level of treatment efficiency. Initial studies show that when linking water and waste operation to route planning the potential reductions in energy consumption could be as much as 25 percent.

With its capabilities in simulating, modelling and designing complete solutions from the ground up, Wärtsilä aims to create a holistic integrated system with all the elements designed to work and interface seamlessly together. This will deliver cost and energy efficiencies,and will save on physical space requirements, said the company.

System reporting will be automatically generated, and in line with local and international port regulations.

The development project is ongoing and involves close cooperation with customers.